Create some new life in your Halloween party with these wines.
What's a Halloween Host to serve ghoulish guests? Punch with dry ice is sooooooo junior high (appropriate roll of the eyes here to denote teen sarcasm). Fortunately, there are some well known and lesser known wines available to you.
Critique of Pure Riesling
Bonny-Doon Vineyards' Riesling Asylum features three very different wines. The Critique of Pure Riesling is a great dry Riesling for your Renfield. You will find surprising depth, with flavors of apricot, peach, and lime. Unlike Dracula's sidekick, this wine can stand on its own.
Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon
From the Concha y Toro Winery in Chile comes a series of wines featuring a devilish legend. The Cabernet has a deep (dare we say it?), blood red color. It's spicy currant fruit and velvety texture are devilishly seductive. It is a concentrated and elegant wine available for about $10 a bottle.
Eye of the Toad Dry pinot Noir Rosé
Forget the eye of newt! Serve Eye of Toad from Toad Hollow Vineyards. This Sonoma County wine is an excellent example of Rosé. It's light but not overly sweet. True to its color, the flavors of strawberry come through. It's a great pairing for spicy fingerfoods. Another great deal for about $10.00
"Egri Bikavér" or Bull's Blood
Harder to find is the #1 wine of Hungary. This is a robust, full-bodied red wine with deep berry flavors. "Egri Bikavér" translates to "Bull's Blood." Bull's Blood is made from at least three varieties. Most producers feature Kékfrankos, because of its sturdy character and acidity. They provide a sturdy frame for this creation. Also used are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The true star is the spicy Kadarka grape. It can produce balanced tannins and complex flavors, such as black pepper, cherry jam and cloves. At about $6.00 a bottle, you can easily feature at least one bottle of this unique wine.
Vampire Wines
If you can find Vampire Wines pick up a bottle or two. They promote themselves as "The Taste of Immortality." Yes, these wines come to you directly from Transylvania. The vitners produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. The Pinot Noir features forest fruits and wild strawberry aromas. The color is bright and clear, but the taste is more mature. They share the same qualities as the Count, a man who doesn't look his age, but with many secrets to share. For about $7 you can partake of a wine that you can sink your teeth into.
News! You can purchase Vampire Wines at CostPlus World Markets across the United States.
